Visual signal type annunciator



July 29 1952 R. H. CAMPBELL.

VISUAL SIGNALA TYPE ANNUNCIATOR Filed Jan. 5, 1950 ,4 3 9| 3 l uw 7l. do 1 4J 4 5 m T4 i m M r? 5 uw im M d d wm OF .TO unl use MMT. w www" my u a u mm m Wm I 2 1/ 4 a 4i 1 M m z l 7 a MM 3 m a L i 1M a n mi 0 d M 2 2 u @w1/figa UNITED STAT-Es PATENT. f e r2,665,caii 'l l v VISUAL SIGNAL'TYPE ANNUNCITE vRichard H. oampbeu, Racine, Wis., 'assigner tu Webster 'Electric'. Company, Racine, Wis., a-cor.-`

y porationA of Delaware The present invention relates to annunciators and more particularly to annunciators of the visual type which are particularly well adapted for use with intercommunication apparatus.

As will be understood -by those skilled in the art, annunciators have numerous applications. They are, for example,-extensively employed in connection with intercommunication apparatus to indicate by visual and/or audible means to the called party, not only that such party, for example, is being called, but also to designate the callingparty. Preferably, the signal produced byfsuch annuneiators should remain effective until the calling party has taken-some positive steps' inanswering the call. It has been customary, for example, in connection with lsuch intercommunication apparatus, to provide selective switching'` means whereby the called party may select and complete the communication circuit-with the calling party as determined by the annunciator which is operative. It would be desirable to terminate the signaling operation of the yannunciator concurrently with or following such positive action. Numerous types .of annunciators have been suggested heretofore.V All of these prior arrangements, however, have been complicated and have not lent kthemselves favorably to loudspeaker type intercommunication apparatus.

Accordingly, itis an object of thepresent invention to provide a 4newand improved vannunciator system.

Still another .object ofthe .present invention resides in the provision of an improved .annunciator of .the visual signal type particularly Well .adapted for use .with intercommunication equipment.

It is another object-of the present invention to provide an annunciator in .the formv of a subassembly Wherebyany reasonable :number of them may be applied to a unit or device merely .by supporting the subassembly fromithe device.

Still another object of the ,present invention resides in the provision of a compact annunciator which may lt into a very small space so that large numbers of them may be associated with asmall cabinet or housing.

VFurther objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as thefollowing description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize theinvention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forminga-part of this specication.

For a better understanding of the present inventionreference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which:

v and` 2 i Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of .an embodiment of the annunciator ofzthe'present invention shown associated'with a portion ofan intercommunication system..

Fig. 2 is a schematic circuit-diagram'illustrate ing an application of theannunciator vof.;Fi`g.f1.;

Fig. 3 is a.somewhat.perspectiveview.of .-apoltion of a station illustrating how a. :plurality-of annunciators of the present Vinvention .may :be associated therewith inasmall compact arrange-.-

ment.

'The 'present invention-is generally rconcerned with the Vdetails of a visual signal type;armlmoia-, tor for use with intercommunicationapparatus in which. for example, the annunciatonis ren.- dered effective by Aa :partly located .atea noi-nt :remote from theannunciator wishing .tof-communicate with the party located adjacent Athe, Aang nunciator. The annunciator includes asuitable signal light whichispreierably continuallyfcnerf gized whenever 'the unit of the intercommunieation apparatus is rendered `operative, as by supplying power thereto. The annunciator further leilec-tive' with the result that the visual signal produced by the annunciator indicates-to; the caued party that he beine `or Yhas been-called by a particular calling party; .Thisl signal remains effective untilsome laction-is taken on'the part of the called party to :complete `an intercommunicating kcircuit between` the called .and calling stations. n v For a better understandinsfof' the present 1,1.;- vention, reference-may be-had'to the'accornpanying drawings which the-annunciatensof;I the present invention is y,generally .desig ated -hyf-the reference numeral-infin Fig. lofg-the-drawiii-g. will lie-understood that the annunciator of presentV invention yhas numerous y applications. .In order to aid in lunderstanding the-cperatiorloi the annunciator oi the present invention, ithas been rillustrated .connection with an intercommunication system generally-designated att-' in Fig. 2 of the'drawing. Intercommunircating .ape paratus such as mightfbe employedgfor oice communicationprthelike, comprises a plu.-

rality of stations designated in Fig. 2 by the reference numerals I2, I3, I4, etc. Appropriate nomenclature such as station I, station 2, station 3, etc., has been applied to the individual units as a further aid in understanding the operation of the annunciator per se with which the present invention is particularly concerned. Conventionally, each station of an'intercommunicating system may include, in addition to the annunciators, a loud speaker, selectively operable communication controlling means, station selector means and the like. Generally, each station includes a unit or device which is usually disposed in a position where it may readily be seen, comprising a suitable cabinet or housing I5 on the front panel of which maybe located a plurality of manually operable station selector control means designated as Ia, IBb, I6c and IIcZv respectively, each of which preferably has an operative portion extending-,within the jcabinet I5,l as through suitable' apertures I'Ia, IIb, IIc and .I'Idrespectively ByA wayof example only, the unit illustrated in Fig. 3 lof the drawing is shown capable of being used with. four additional stations to provide a ve station system. Each station has as many annunciators as there are stations Which can call a particular stationjin the system, i. e., one less annunciator than the number'of stations in the system. This indicates the need for compact annunciators when used in a multiple station intercommunicaton system, if it is desirable as usually is the case, tomaintain the cabinet or housing I5 at each station as small as'possible.' y l f. 'As illustrated, each ofthe selector means I6 hasl associated therewith `an vannunciato'rf I8 forming the basis o'f the presentinvention vwhich eXter-iorly of the cabinetV I5 appears only as a windowed aperture I8.' As illustrated in Fig..3 .of thedrawing, four apertures I8a; lab, I8c and 18d are'provided, oneassociated with-each selector element I6 markedwith the corresponding subscript. These apertures are capabley of being illuminated by a visual signal means in apredetermined manner described hereinafter so as to indicate which 'station is calling.`v Ii desired, sliitableindicia shown infFigs. l and-'3, such'as thel names of the lparties at the different stations, may Vappropriatelyl be associated withthe apertures I8, so that when the annunciator associate'dwith a particular aperture I8 is rendered effective, the called party willknow at .'a rglance who is calling or has called him. Y Vi VThe selector means IIare preferably station selector switches designated bythe'same ,reference numerals in Fig. 2 as in Fig. 3. As illustrated, these switches comprise a manually actuable member which may be moved' either to the right orto the left as viewed in Fig. 3 and in either position being capable of operating certain control circuits. In Fig. 2 of the drawing "some of the circuits for the selector switches IGa and I (iby are indicated.- As illustrated, each of the switches has associatedtherewith two sets of switches each having normally 'open contacts designated as 20a and2Ia respectively for the selective lcontrol means IBa. The contacts 20a are illustrated as controlling a communication circuit between stations I and 2. The'contacts 2Ia, on the other hand,v arev capable of completing a calling circuit whereby station I may call station 2. Similarly, selective control means Iib` includes switches comprising contacts 2'band 2lb for'completing the communication circuit between stations'I and 3, and calling station3, respectively.

Considering now the improved annunciator of the present invention, reference may be had to Fig. 1 Where the apertures I8a and IBD are visible and the selector switch IIiaJ may be seen to comprise manually movable member 22 pivoted to means associated with the cabinet I5 as indcatedfat 22a, so that a portion thereof extends through the aperture Ila, for actuation from outside the cabinet. The contacts 26a and Zla are not visible in Fig. 1 of the drawing but the resilient supporting arms for these contacts are generally designated by the reference numeral 23. These arms 23 are mounted in spaced insulated relationship by means comprising a plurality of insulators 25 which in turn are supported on an angularly disposed flange 24a of an L-shaped bracket 24 having one arm of the L attached to the inside front panel of the cabinet I5. As illustrated, said one arm of the bracket 24 hasan aperture 26 therein which is aligned with the aperture IIa. Preferably the member 22 is pivoted to the bracket 24 whereby the annunciator I0 may comprise a subassembly of parts all mounted on the bracket 24. The end of member 22 disposed within the cabinet I5, is effective to move the resi-lient contact arms 23 selectively to close the contacts 20a or 2 Iaor, if desired, others not shown in the drawing. f y

In accordance with the present invention, a suitable light source 28 connected to a source of electrical energy is disposed so that rays of light therefrom are directed to'each of theapertures Ia, lab, I8c and I8d. These apertures are preferably covered with an uncolored translucent material so as` effectively to provide a translucent windowrupon which the indicia referred to above may be imprinted. The signal light 28 is preferably energized whenever Vthe power supply unit for the particular station ofv the -intercommunieating apparatus is energized. Consequently, this light shining through the apertures I8 additionally serves to indicate that the intercommunicating apparatus is ready for use should it be required. Y

For the purpose of producing a signal at the` front of the cabinet I5 indicative of the particular annunciator operated, the annunciator subassembly comprises in accordance with the present invention, a colored transparent or light permeable movable member or iiag 30, preferablyv formed of a suitable plastic or the like, pivotally mounted as indicated at 3| to suitable pivot supporting arms 32a forming part of a support 32 either detachably or permanently attached t'o the bracket 24. This nag member 30 is adapted to move to a light ray modifying position overlying the windowed aperture I8a so that xwhen in this overlying position, a colored light, the color determined by the particular transparent' flag employed, appears at this aperture to indicate annunciator operation.

For the purpose of causing the ag 30 to tend to move into its operated position there is provideda spring 33 connected to a leverl arm-'extension 38a of the flag 3 0.- Normally, theflag 3U is held in a predetermined ,position remotefrom the associated aperture I8a, and for this'pu'r'pose, there is provided a suitable latching armf3'5'also pivotally mounted as indicated at 36 to suitable extensions 32D of the support 32. The latching arm 35 is provided with a hook-shaped latching nger 35a for engaging the free end of the flag 30. The latching finger-35a is provided with a cam 'surface 31 to permit relatching of the ag. It should be noticed that the'latching arm 35 is continually biasedto its latching positionl bythe same spring Y33 which tends to bias thev flag 30 intoI its operated position. f

' In accordance with the present invention, the latching'arm 35 is constructed as a sort of a bellcrank with ai laterally disposed lever arm 39 ex-A spondingly the winding of the electromagnet as# sociated with the selector control means lb is designated as 42h. l

Winding 42a atl station l is connected in an electrical circuit with' the contacts 43 of a selector switch at station 2 and in series with a source of power schematically indicated as a battery 44. It will be apparent that momentary closure of the contacts 43 by operation of a selective control means, which may be similar to the means Ita at Station i, will cause winding 42a to be energized with the consequent movement of the plunger 40 in a direction torelease the latching arm 35 with the result that the spring 33 is eiective to move the flag 3i! toits operated position. In similar manner, the winding 42h is connected in an electric circuitwith the contacts 44a and a source of .potential 45 located at station 3. l lWith the annunciator employed in an intercommunicating system, its operation as just described Will indicate to the party at station I that he is being or has been called by the party at station 2 and by manipulating selector switch Ia to close the contacts 23a, which would require rotation of member 22 in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in either Figs. l or 2, there is completed a communication circuit between stations l and 2. Under these conditions it will bev understood that it is desirable toV restore the annunciator to its non-indicating position and in accordance with the present invention, the lever extension 36a of the flag 30 is connected by a suitable link 46 with the selective control means 16a, and lpreferably to member 22, the link extending through aperture 24u. or, if desired, through a separate aperture individual vto it. Rotation in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1 of 4member 22, causes the flag 3!)y to return to the position shown in Fig. 1. In order that the link 45 not interfere with free operation of the flag 3U in response to energization of the electromagnet 4|, the link is constructed with a lost motion connection,v which may comprise a loop portion 46a, with pin 4l on member 22. This connection also enables member 22 to be operated to close the signaling. circuit without 4operating the annunciator.

In. order that the party at station, l. may can the party at station 2, the contactswZla are connected yfin'crcull; with a source-.ofvpotential 48: anda Winding 4d Vof an electrcmagnet forming part ofy an annuciator-Llocated at station? preferably identical with the annunciator IB. Similarly the contacts 2lb are connected in vcircuit with a source of potential 5i)y and a Winding 5l .of an electromagnet forming `part ofv an annunciatorlocated atv station 3.v

n view ofthe' detailed description, included above, the operation of the annunciator of ythe present invention will readily bev understoodby those skilled in the art. Under normal conditions when the intercommunicating apparatus with which the present invention has been illustrated by, is not being used, the flag is latched in the predetermined position shown in Fig. 1 which may be designated as the annunciator 01T position. 'Upon the energization of the electro-l magnet M, the latching arm is actuated to free the nag 30 which, under the bias of the spring 33, moves to its operated position. Since the flag 30 is formedfof a colored transparent the rays of light from the source 28 directedr n through'this iiag will give a clear indication of annunciator operation. The annunciator is restored to its normal operation upon actuation of the station selector switch I 6a. l

From the above description it will be apparent that there has been provided an -an-l nunciator assembly mounted on either side ofy a bracket 24 which furthermore may have suflicient length to support additional identical or similar annunciators in a compact arrangement. The members 3Q, 35 and 33 and electromagnet 4l yfurthermore comprise an assembly attachable to one side'of the bracket 24 while the contact arms 23 are effectively supported at'the other side below the electromagnet, which extends through the bracket. The link 46 can be attached upon iinal assembly of the parts.

While there has'beenA illustrated `and described 'a specific embodiment of the present invention 'which is especially adapted for usefin -intercomf munication apparatus, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications may be made, and it is aimed in the appended claims to cover all' such changes and modifications as fall Within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured byLettersl Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. In an annunciator of the visual signal type comprising a housing having an aperture, a movable signal member normally disposed in a predetermined position and movable relative to said aperturemeans including an electromagnet capable of being energized to operatek said annunciator, means operatively interconnecting said electromagnet and signal. member whereby energization of said electromagnet effectively causes movement of said member from said predetermined position, and means including a manually actuable control element and a lost motion linkage element operatively connected to said control element and said movable signal member operable after operationy of said annunciator for restoring said signal member to operatively connectedto said controlA element: andsaid movable member operable.- after: operaal tion ofr said annunciator for restoring said movable member to said predetermined position, a support, means supportingv said electromagnet and control element at one side of said support, and means supporting said signal member at the other side of said support, and, said linkage means and armature extending across said support.

3. In apparatus of the type described, a housing having spaced apertures, a rst for a signaling member and a second for a station selector operating member, a generally L-shaped support inside said housing located with its shorter leg to one side of said first aperture and provided with a second aperture aligned with the second aperture in said housing, the longer legof said Support extending rearwardly of the housing, a movable signal member mounted' inoperative relation to said rst aperture and movable relative to said aperture from a predetermined position, station selector switch means mounted to the rear of the shorter leg, a switch operating member extending through said second apertures, an electromagnet mounted above said switch means and capable of being energized to operate said signal member, means extending through said support and operatively interconnecting said electromagnet and signal member whereby energization of said electromagnet eiiectively causes movement of said member from said predetermined position, and means including a lost motion linkage element extending through said support and operatively connected to said switch operating member and said signal member for restoring said signal member to said predetermined position.

4. In apparatus of the type described, a hous-v ing ha-ving two vertically arranged series of horizontally spaced apart apertures, the first series beingriorsignaling members and the second for station selector switch means operatingV members, a generally L-shaped vertically extending support inside said housing located with its shorter leg to one side of said rst series of apertures and provided with a series of apertures aligned with the said second series of apertures in said housing, the longer leg of said support extending rearwardly of the housing, movable signal members mounted in operative relation to each of said rst apertures and movable relative to said apertures from predeterminedY positions adjacent thereto, a vertically arranged series of selector switch means mounted on the longer leg and to the rear of the shorter leg, switch operating members A extending through said second apertures, an electromagnet mounted above each of said switch means and capable of being energized to operate said signal member, means extending through said support and operatively interconnecting each electromagnet with its associated signal member whereby energization of the electromagnet effectively causes movement of the member from its predetermined position, and means including a lost motion linkage element extending through said support and operatively connecting each'switch operating member vand its associated signal member for restoring the signal member to its predetermined position.

5. In an annunciator of the visual signal type comprising a source of light adapted to be normally energized, a housing having an aperture through which light rays from said source may be directed to produce a visual signal indication, means for controlling said aperture to modify the rays from said source passing through,

8,. said aperture comprising a pivotally mounted light permeable4 member Vmovable between a first position overlying said aperture and a second position remote from said aperture, latching means for normally maintaining said member in said second position, means for biasing said-member towards said rst position, an electromagnet, means operatively interconnecting said electromagnet and said latching means whereby energization of said electromagnet releases said latching means and permits said member to move from said second to said rst position, a manually actuable control element associated with said annunciator, and means responsive'to operation of said control element following operation of said annunciator for moving said vmember from said iirst to said second position.

6. In combination with a supporting means having an aperture, an annunciator of the visual signal type comprising a visuall signal member, means for supporting said member for movement between a rst position overlying said aperture and a second position remote from said aperture, latching means for normally holding said member in said second position, a single spring means for simultaneously biasing said member toward said first position and said latching means toward said latching position, an electromagnet, means operatively interconnecting said electromagnet and said latching means whereby energization of said electromagnet releases said latching means and said spring means causes said signal member to move from said second to said rst position, and manually operable means including a lost motion connection for moving said signal member from' said rst to said second position and resetting saidA latching means.

7. In combination with a supporting means having an aperture, an annunciator of the visual signal type comprising a visual signal member, means for supporting said member for movement between a rst position overlying said aperture and va second position remote from said aperture, latching means for normally holding said member in said second position, a single spring means for simultaneously biasing said member toward said rst position and said latching means toward said latching position, an electromagnet, means operatively interconnecting said electromagnet and said latching means whereby energization of said electromagnet releases said latching means and said spring means causes said signal member to move from said second to said iirst position, manually operable means including a lost motion connection for moving said signal member from said iirst to said second position and vcam means on said latching means cooperating with said signal member for relatching it in said second position in response to operation of Vsaid manual means.

8. A station selector switch and annunciator means including a support having an apertured wall, a station selector switch at one side of said wall and secured thereto, switch operating means located at said one side of said wall for said station selector switch, an electromagnet located at said one side of the wall'and having a movable anmature extending through said wall, visual annunciator operating means mounted' upon and at the other side of said wall and operatively associated with said armature, visual signal means controlled by said visual annunciator operating means, and visual signal restoring means extending through the 'wail operativelyinterconnecting said visual 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS signal means and said switch operating means. Number Name Date RICHARD H, (M11/1151135111,- 532,605 `Spencer s Jan. 15, 1895 v n 671,776 Rousseau Apr. 9, 1901 l 0 956,815 Miller .May 3, 1910 .REFERENCES CITED 1,831,873 Miller Nov. 17, 1931 The followlng references are of record in the 1,913,937 Loemer June 13J 1933 Lappin Nov. 14, 1939 le of this patent: 2,179,792 

